With one Los Angeles team capturing a division championship and the other filled with Hall of Fame-bound All-Stars, the two Staples Center residents could conceivably have clashed in the Western Conference finals.

At the very least they could have made it through the second weekend of the playoffs.

Instead — in the most unceremonious endings one can imagine — Dwight Howard turned and yelled at the officials as he was ejected in Game 4, while Chris Paul hugged a couple of Grizzlies before leaving the court following his ejection in Game 6.

And that was it for the Lakers and the Clippers this season.

Where do Howard and Paul, the prizes atop this summer’s free-agent list, go now?

While it’s the dream of so many NBA stars to play in Los Angeles — well, let’s be honest, it’s their dream to play for the Lakers, not the Clippers — neither Howard nor Paul got to LA by choice.

Paul would have been a Laker a year ago if not for NBA commissioner David Stern nixing a trade, so Paul ended up in the other locker room in the Staples Center with the Clippers.

Howard was part of a four-team trade that I still get headaches trying to understand because everyone in the deal got something pretty decent except Orlando, the team Howard was leaving.

Let me rephrase that. Every team got something perceived to be decent since what the Sixers got, for the most part, was a warm spot on the bench for Andrew Bynum.

Regardless, it was a disappointing ending for Paul, a horrible season overall for Howard. What is their logical next move? Could there be any way that the cap-friendly Dallas Mavericks are in their future?

And should the Mavericks be interested?

In Paul’s case, that’s an easy answer. Everyone should want Paul. He’s the best point guard in the NBA, and it’s not as close as it was a couple of years ago when Brooklyn’s Deron Williams seemed to be knocking on Paul’s door.

Regardless, yes, the Mavericks want Paul. They would give anything to get Paul. And what exactly do they have to offer?

The Mavs have Rick Carlisle, one of the best coaches in the NBA. He got a 24-17 record out of the Mavs in the second half of a season in which they had no point guard. At the very least, Carlisle is an upgrade over Vinny Del Negro, although it’s likely the Clippers will allow Paul to hand select the next coach (Byron Scott?) if he chooses to stay.

The Mavs have an unselfish superstar. Unfortunately, Dirk Nowitzki is heading into his 16th season. His 17.3 points per game were the fewest since his first full season. He averaged fewer than seven rebounds for the second straight year. Remarkably healthy for his career, Nowitzki has missed 48 starts (more than 20 percent) the last three seasons.

Beyond that, the Mavericks have a collection of players just as old but not nearly as good or much younger and not good at all.

What else can the Mavs offer? Oh, yes, no state income tax. Of course, the Houston Rockets, blessed with considerably better talent and plenty of cap room, can offer the same.

What about the enigma of Howard? My first impulse would be to tell the Mavericks or any other team to stay away. Howard piles up impressive points and rebound totals almost purely on his physical presence. Nine years in the league, he still has no go-to shot, no discernible post moves.

I hear analysts talk about how he should spend off-season time with Hakeem Olajuwon or other gifted big men. I can’t imagine it would make a difference. Howard came into the league at the same time the Mavericks were moving up to draft Devin Harris.

You should expect Harris to become a gifted 3-point shooter about the same time you anticipate Howard becoming a guy who does more than draw fouls in the low post. The fact Howard is getting worse, not better, at the foul line limits his potential as well.

But what point would be made by telling the Mavericks to stay away? This is a franchise that risks returning to the lottery on an annual basis, given the age of its roster and its inability to acquire any young talent the last few years.

Howard wouldn’t bring a second title to Dallas. But right now, a four-game sweep in the first round with Howard getting tossed somewhere in the final game looks pretty good around here.

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About Tim Cowlishaw

Tim Cowlishaw has been The Dallas Morning News' lead sports columnist since July 1998. Prior to that he covered the Cowboys for six seasons and the Stars for three as a beat reporter. He also covered the Rangers as a backup beat writer and was the San Jose Mercury News' beat writer on the San Francisco Giants in the late 1980s.

Tim has been appearing regularly on ESPN"s "Around the Horn" since the show made its debut in November 2002. He also worked with ESPN as part of the network's "NASCAR Now" coverage in 2007-08.

Favorite Dallas restaurants: Park, Nick and Sam's, Kenichi.

Worst sports prediction: His first in college ... that Earl Campbell had no shot at the Heisman Trophy.

Best sports memories: Seeing the Dallas Stars hoist the Stanley Cup long after midnight in Buffalo, watching the Dallas Cowboys win the Super Bowl and Texas win the national title in perfect Rose Bowl settings.